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Utah House rejects resolution urging ‘responsible freedom’ be added to Pledge of Allegiance
Summary
The Utah House debated HCR 4, a resolution urging Congress to add the words “responsible freedom” to the Pledge, after West High students presented in favor. After extensive floor debate, the House voted to file the resolution, 6–62.
A resolution urging the U.S. Congress to add the words “responsible freedom” to the Pledge of Allegiance failed in the Utah House on Jan. 15 after extended debate and student testimony.
Students from West High School — including senior class president Kristen Claussen — addressed the chamber in a committee of the whole, describing school programs called the Freedom’s Flight and a classroom “Freedom chart” intended to pair responsibility with freedom. Claussen told lawmakers the students organized activities and materials to encourage responsible citizenship in schools and asked members to support the resolution urging Congress to adopt the change.
Lawmakers debated the resolution at length. Supporters said adding “responsible” could reinforce civic duties when repeated in schools, while opponents called the pledge “sacred” as written and questioned whether a state resolution would meaningfully influence federal law. Several members also warned the change risked opening the pledge to endless revision and might not accomplish concrete policy goals.
The House voted to end debate and proceed to a recorded vote. The reading clerk reported that HCR 4 received 6 affirmative votes and 62 negative votes and was filed. The committee hearing and student presentations took place under the time-certain item for HCR 4; the formal introduction of the resolution was made by the reading clerk earlier in the morning.
